Dignity Matters believes all women have the right to live with basic dignity. And this starts with access to underwear and feminine hygiene products.

It is hard to imagine, but the lack of access to pads, tampons and underwear is a huge issue for tens of thousands of women in USA. There are women in almost every community in the USA who cannot afford these necessities, especially as pads and tampons are not covered by Food Stamps nor provided by most homeless shelters or public schools. Due to this homeless women and school girls, both sheltered and unsheltered, every month face the humiliating reality of no access to tampons or pads. Their dilemma of having to choose between buying food to survive or pads is too common.

Dignity Matters is a non-profit organization that collects and supplies feminine hygiene products and underwear to women and girls in New England who are homeless or otherwise in need, to help them stay healthy, regain self-confidence, and live with basic dignity.

In support of Dignity Matters we will have a collection box at the below participating locations from Monday October 16 – Friday November 3.

Dignity Matters is a non-profit organization that collects and supplies feminine hygiene products and underwear to women and girls who are homeless or otherwise in need, in order to help them stay healthy, regain self-confidence, and live with basic dignity.

Women and girls we assist are commonly single mothers, low-income or homeless women or women and teens who escaped domestic violence and cannot safely return home. Well over 40% of homeless women we encountered in shelters are employed. Indeed, just in 2017 the organization visited many homeless shelters in Massachusetts where over 65% of the women are employed, but still can not afford a permanent roof over their head. These women desperately need help to stand back on their feet.

Homeless women and school girls, both sheltered and unsheltered, every month face the humiliating reality of no access to tampons or pads. Their dilemma of having to choose between buying food to survive or pads is too common. Why homeless women and school girls DESPERATELY need tampons, pads, bras and panties:1. Food stamps do not cover them2. They are expensive3. They are almost never donated to shelters4. Shelters have no funds to purchase feminine hygiene products for their clients. Bras are considered a luxury.

Dignity Matters prides themselves on developing long-term and meaningful relationships with the shelters they serve. They spend a significant amount of time at each shelter they partner with to truly understand the unique needs of the population they serve, in order to prioritize helping those with the greatest need, and ensuring that no products is wasted.

Dignity Matters is based in Wayland, MA, and oversees operations in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Georgia. You can also tangibly improve the lives of women and teens in need by joining our cause.